One other day, one other alternative to incorporate an entry in our superlative collection on the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule. For the remainder of this week, we’re breaking down a special angle of Detroit’s schedule on daily basis, with every of us on workers providing our distinctive perspective on what the schedule makers have put collectively for the Lions.
Right here’s a have a look at our earlier entries to date:
Most necessary sport or stretch of the seasonMost anticipated matchup
At present’s superlative has us wanting on the sport—an opponent—who will reveal simply how good the Lions are as a soccer crew this 12 months.
Greatest “measuring-stick” sport
It received’t take lengthy for Detroit to be examined this season. The Payments will christen Highmark Stadium, the crew’s new house, in Week 2, and the Lions get to be their first visitor. Buffalo shook issues up this offseason by changing long-time head coach Sean McDermott with Joe Brady—beforehand the crew’s offensive coordinator—, however the roster stays among the finest within the AFC.
Kelvin Sheppard’s protection will get a chance towards one of many elite quarterbacks within the NFL, and Drew Petzing’s offense will face one helluva stress take a look at in a rowdy surroundings.
Morgan Cannon: Week 7 vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers
Week 7 towards the Packers at Ford Discipline. Coming off the bye week in Week 6, you higher imagine Dan Campbell can have his crew able to go towards a crew that beat them in each matchups in 2025.
Jeremy Reisman: Week 7 vs. Packers
Detroit’s first quintet of video games are comparatively straightforward on paper, so a 4-1 begin could be very a lot on the desk. However issues get actual in a rush, and I imagine the Packers’ sport proper out of the bye week will probably be a litmus take a look at, measuring stick, tone-setter, or no matter different related superlative you wish to throw in there. In the event that they win that sport and transfer to 5-1(ish), we’ll know this crew may make a deep push.
Al Karsten: Week 7 vs. Packers
The Packers faltered down the stretch final season, very similar to the Lions, after accidents piled up (particularly to affect gamers), however Matt LaFleur’s crew nonetheless kicked Detroit’s tooth in to open the 12 months and constructed a number of double-digit leads throughout a formidable Thanksgiving win.
Regardless of offseason teaching workers turnover, Inexperienced Bay stays one of many Lions’ greatest obstacles. Detroit’s matchup with the Packers at Ford Discipline—coming off the bye week and following a comparatively manageable opening stretch—will function a serious barometer for the place this crew stands coming into the center of the season. After getting embarrassed by Minnesota popping out of the bye final 12 months, the Lions will probably be on the lookout for a a lot totally different response this time round.
John Whiticar: Week 7 vs. Packers
The primary divisional matchup will give us a style of how Detroit stacks up within the NFC North. Maybe extra importantly, it’s a sport that Detroit must win: it’s at house, coming off a bye, with the Vikings the next week.
Erik Schlitt: Week 8 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Arguably, the Lions’ worst two performances in 2025 got here towards the Vikings, so this sport will probably be an ideal measure of whether or not the Lions’ offseason decision-making has paid off or in the event that they nonetheless have work to do. Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, ought to have the Lions offense rolling at this level within the season, however can he outduel Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores?
Brandon Knapp: Week 10 vs. New England Patriots
That is the beginning of a tricky three-game stretch for Detroit and the hardest of all of them. In the event that they’re in a position to defeat the Patriots, it’s a great signal that this crew may return to the NFC Championship sport. A loss isn’t the top of the world, but when it’s by 14+ factors, then that may lead folks to query if 2026 is the 12 months they will win all of it.
